No, it's not the latest teen horror flick to hit multiplexes, but rather a funny, touching and highly entertaining independent documentary from often-underrated director John Landis (An American Werewolf in London, Animal House). Who (or what) is the slasher you may ask? Well, in a nutshell, the slasher is Michael Bennett, a raspy voiced 'talker' who travels the country, 'helping' car dealerships to move stale units, turning a quick profit and in turn clearing the lots. The documentary Slasher chronicles one such Bennett excursion from start to finish as he travels to 'the bankruptcy capital of the world' Memphis TN, and the virtual circus that erupts in and around a Toyota dealership at one of Bennett's self-proclaimed slasher sales.

At heart, Bennett is a family man, with a loving wife and children. However, once he hits the road, he comes across as a loudmouth alcoholic who doesn't know nearly as much as he thinks he does. His enthusiasm is infectious though, no doubt part of his success. When we first meet Bennett, he's at home, getting himself together for his trip to Memphis. It's a frantic scene, and as his wife and kids are wiping the crust out of their sleepy eyes just before 7am, Bennett is in the limo, on the way to the airport enjoying his liquid breakfast (yeah, a couple of beers in the morn'll cure what ails ya).

Once in Memphis, Bennett and his DJ bud Kevin hit the town, and prepare for the weekends upcoming slasher sale. Preparations include dressing up the outside of the dealership (with balloons and 'caution' tape), posting signs all around town promising 'deals as low as $88' and hiring the lovely young ladies who will act as the weekends 'hostesses.' The next day, one of Bennett's 'mercenary salesman' friends arrives to help move things along the weekend of the sale, as Bennett already pre-assumes that the dealerships salesmen, are not up to snuff.

The meat and potatoes of Slasher is in that it chronicles the weekends' events, from just before the start of the Slasher sale to the final moments, and the trip home. So what exactly happens at the slasher sale? Well, first and foremost, Bennett promises a huge return to the dealership, but most of the time he's more talk than action. He then strategically codes the cars for their prices, and how far he can 'slash' the price down during the sale. The day of the sale, dressed in his tux, balloons waving in the breeze, DJ playing some tunes and our lovely hostesses taking names, Bennett hits his 'stage.' The basic gist is that potential buyers get behind the wheel of a car they are interested in, honk the horn, and Bennett runs over, mic in hand and SLASHES the price. Of course, all of the cars are overpriced to begin with, which is all part of the master plan. Convince someone that they are receiving a good deal, and they are likely to believe you.

What we're left with are scenes that range from quite funny, to awfully shocking, and when you get right down to it - you really can't make this stuff up. Of course many of the people who visit the sale, are just on the lookout for the $88 car the signs promised them, and when they find it, you'd think that they just hit the lottery. That is until they actually take the car off the lot - simply priceless. Interaction between Bennett and Kevin is also quite amusing, as they appear to be on two totally opposite ends of the spectrum and are involved in a truly bizarre love hate business relationship themselves.

The weekend has its ups and downs for Bennett, which is to be expected and Landis does a fantastic job of focusing in on Bennett and his inner struggles, and not just with the sale itself. Sure the dealerships mgmt. is on Bennett through the whole process, they really want him to deliver. But we also get to see other sides of Bennett including the alcoholic, family man and the little boy inside, struggling with all of his inner demons. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel for the guy, he's a lot of talk, but some of what he has to say, REALLY makes sense.

Through the use of quick edits, and a very cool rock n' roll soundtrack, Landis is easily able to draw the viewer in. The action dips towards the end a bit, and there's a transition from the sale not going so well, to it being a mild to moderate success for Bennettt that's unfortunately, not fully explained or explored. But other than these few minor complaints, I can easily recommend Slasher as a must see film, and one of the true highlights of the festival thus far.

Thumbs Up He's a nut, but Bennett serves as an inspiration to us all!